Crime and punishment auditions

AUDITION NOTICE
Saturday 25th May 10.30 a.m. in the Lewis theatre foyer.

‘CRIME & PUNISHMENT’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky
adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus

Playing dates ; 12 – 19 October 2013

We are opening our 75th Season with this award winning adaptation of Dostoevsky’s novel. Considered to be the world’s first psychological thriller, it is a gripping detective story with a fascinating, complex central character. Set in St Petersburg during the mid-nineteenth century, it revolves around Raskolnikov – an impoverished student who kills an unscrupulous pawnbroker, arguing that he can use her wealth to perform good deeds and counterbalance the crime while ridding the world of worthless vermin. His belief that murder is permissible in pursuit of a higher purpose is undermined by a growing paranoia that isolates him from mankind, nature and truth. With no evidence to convict him, his ultimate confession is an act of redemption. He has been described as “a timeless, rootless, disillusioned angry young man (whose) own existential problems are especially relevant today.”

This adaptation has been extensively staged in America and is performed on a minimal set by three actors. It runs for ninety minutes with no interval.

Characters

Raskolnikov (20’s -30’s) The protagonist referred to above. He combines intelligence and arrogance with anxiety and self-loathing. Cold, calculating and compassionate in equal measure. He is on stage throughout.

Porfiry (40’s – 60’s) The detective who has no evidence but becomes convinced that Raskolnikov is the murderer. He breaks down his bravado and plays on his guilt. The play is dominated by the interaction between these two characters but there are also throw backs to events leading up to the crime. They combine like the dreams of a fevered mind. This actor will also play the part of Marmelodov, Sonya’s alcoholic father.

Sonya, a prostitute (a range of playing ages) Raskolnikov is attracted to her and she becomes his spiritual guide. This actress also plays the old pawnbroker, Alyona Ivanovna, her simple sister Lizaveta Ivanovna and Raskolnikov’s mother. It will require physical and emotional versatility but, above all, a range of truthful performances.

“Stunningly lean, taut and emotionally searing……A work of theatre that never feels like a condensation of a seminal 500 page novel, but rather has the swift, sharp impact of a blow from an axe” – Chicago Sun-Times.

Please contact me if you would like to discuss any aspect of this production. 01273 472779 / 0771 737 7316.

Miles Jenner
Director